KDMA ILS Rwy 12...

MikeD

MikeD

Administrator
Staff member
....will finally get commissioned. For the longest time, only RW 30 had an ILS here, with RW 12 only having a TACAN approach or limited-hours PAR. The ILS was finally TERPs out and should become effective by NOTAM in the next week or so. Still no approach lighting system yet to RW 12, but that's next on the agenda.

With the activation of this ILS, and an ILS to both runways, one more PAR system in the state, and at another USAF base, will be decommissioned here.

image.jpg
 
Boooo! I loved the PAR to 12. The PAR at my deployed location should be back online shortly (was down for mx). Sadly, the other pilot on my crew isn't too enthused...no magenta lines makes some people uneasy, apparently.
 
What do you need a precision approach for in the desert anyway? It's always clear skies and a billion degrees. :stir:
 
Derg said:
Except when it's not! :)

Plus, practice.

Hey @MikeD - does the Mil have any interest in RNP approaches?
Click to expand...

Most tactical mil aircraft aren't capable in terms of onboard equipment. Heavies may be. Big consideration is what can be protected from spoofing or not. Some bases have RNAV approaches, so it's coming on.
 
True, I didn't think about that. I guess I figure during any "It's all gone to Sh__" scenario, the satellites have been fragged anyway.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Do they still do the PAR in Yuma these days or is it gone too?
Click to expand...

Yes.

ASR/PAR is being slowly gotten rid of at USAF bases, due to ILS and such. It originally was going to be gone with the advent of MLS approaches, but those never took off and only a few bases received them.

USN/USMC air stations will always have ASR/PAR due to the fact that their tactical aircraft aren't ILS capable. The ILS-type system they used to recover aboard aircraft carriers isn't the same and isn't compatible with land-based ILS systems, so the only instrument approach capability they possess is TACAN (non-precision) and ASR/PAR (non-precision/precision). So they will always retain the capability of a GCA on field.

US Army installations the same. Tactical helos are generally not ILS capable, as flying in WX isn't something they do and have no need for. So US Army air fields also retain ASR/PAR.
 
God I hated doing PAR's at Tyndall. Especially on the -22. Had to always remind the pilots to drop the gear so I could see them. It was cool when you could tell it was a student pilot who intercepted the localizer. The F-4's and T-38's made you work, especially since they slide so much in their turns even with half standard rate. It was always a good feeling though when the pilot would tell you nice approach.
 
NovemberEcho said:
God I hated doing PAR's at Tyndall. Especially on the -22. Had to always remind the pilots to drop the gear so I could see them. It was cool when you could tell it was a student pilot who intercepted the localizer. The F-4's and T-38's made you work, especially since they slide so much in their turns even with half standard rate. It was always a good feeling though when the pilot would tell you nice approach.
Click to expand...

I've never had a bad PAR contoller, at least not a US one, and have had more than my share of PARs down to at/near 100' DH and 1/2 (maybe) viz. Nothing like having the calm controller talking you down like it's nothing but a thing, even to the most minute details such as "at decision height", "over the approach lights", or "crossing the perimeter fence". And after touchdown in hard rain after popping out of the muck, a simple "contact tower on rollout, have a nice day", when the WX is absolute crap outside, is just very cool and professional and impressive to see (once able to relax enough to realize it :) )

Only one who ever had me slightly confused was the ROKAF PAR controller telling me I was "left of glideslope" :), but it was just a misspeak; they were good at it as well.
 
MikeD said:
I've never had a bad PAR contoller, at least not a US one, and have had more than my share of PARs down to at/near 100' DH and 1/2 (maybe) viz. Nothing like having the calm controller talking you down like it's nothing but a thing, even to the most minute details such as "at decision height", "over the approach lights", or "crossing the perimeter fence". And after touchdown in hard rain after popping out of the muck, a simple "contact tower on rollout, have a nice day", when the WX is absolute crap outside, is just very cool and professional and impressive to see (once able to relax enough to realize it :) )

Only one who ever had me slightly confused was the ROKAF PAR controller telling me I was "left of glideslope" :), but it was just a misspeak; they were good at it as well.
Click to expand...

Well clearly you never got a PAR from me than.
 
GCA is like a limited RAPCON. But any AF controller can go to a base with a GCA and train in it just as if it was another rapcon or tower.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top